Listening Volunteers

The 10th September is World Suicide Prevention Day an international day that raises awareness of suicide and to raise money for suicide prevention activities.

a person dies every 40 seconds by suicide and up to 25 times as many again make a suicide attempt.

Up to 135 people are affected by every death by suicide and it a rising concern amongst young people and those past retirement age.

Volunteers can play a role in supporting people with mental health issues and in crisis and to mark World Suicide Prevention day we are highlighting the role of Listening volunteers with the Samaritans

Samaritans listening volunteers are there around the clock throughout the year.

The Samaritans began in 1953 in London, founded by a vicar called Chad Varah who wanted to do more to help people who wwere struggling with suicidal thoughts, from humble beginnings the Samaritans now have over 200 branches across the UK and support hundreds of thousands of people every year.

There are branches across Essex looking for volunteer to help to man vital phone lines and to support the organisation in other ways.